Equus – August 2019

AUTUMN 2019 EqUUS 498^101

True Tales focus on particular

experiences that typify the multi-

faceted relationships we have with

our horses. Submit your story,

along with photos if appropriate, to

EQUUS, True Tales, P.O. Box 7510,

Falls Church, Virginia 22040; email:

[email protected].

to tell me that, believe it or not, he
had gotten the shot. Scrutinizing the
image later, you could see how Jim’s
left hind leg had dropped behind the
wagon wheel. If I hadn’t leapt to the
side, pulling him with me, the bone
might have snapped. It was a one-in-
a-million chance that we were both
relatively unscathed, and another
one-in-a-million chance that the
photographer snapped the shutter at
exactly the right moment.
One thing was certain though:
I was not going to try that again.

I

’ve never lost the guilt I felt over that
mistake. Jim forgave me, though, and
we worked together for many more
years. Never again did I fail to ensure
that the stunts I asked of him were as
safe as we could make them. I learned to
heed my instincts.
Several years later, I retired Jim
and donated him to the Los Angeles
Regional Community (LARC) Ranch,
a Santa Clarita, California, facility
that helps children and adults with
disabilities. I visited him there when
I could and enjoyed watching him
with the residents. They would swarm
around him, brushing and simply
petting him. It was clear they loved
him and that he loved them in return.
I was told that children who had not
spoken in years would talk to Jim. In
fact he worked out so well there that
the ranch got him an old gray mare as
a companion. I would often see them
both as I drove past, knee-deep in a
lush pasture, clearly enjoying life as
every horse should.

Colors Available

Pink, Blue and Orange

Sizes Available

Mini, Pony/Donkey,

Yearling, Small,

Medium and Large

MADE IN

Patented Design US6508205B1

http://www.shooflyleggins.com

Exclusively Distributed By:

http://www.stonemfg.net

QUALITY • SERVICE • INNOVATION

Use loose-fitting, chemical free during fly season

to prevent painful fly bites and reduce stressful stomping.

• Prevents Botflies from laying eggs causing hoof damage


• Decreases healing time of abrasions and wounds
  by allowing air flow


• Easy to attach, comfortable to wear and will not sag
  due to their unique sewn-in plastic stays